PUTTING IT ON THE LINE

Although two standouts aren’t entering draft, Chargers should still target offensive lineman with first pick

The Chargers are officially No. 11 on the clock. It’s a spot I previously believed would land them an elite left tackle.

However, the list of premium offensive lineman shrunk this week when Michigan’s Taylor Lewan and Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews both decided to return to school for their senior seasons.

The Chargers should still target an offensive lineman, although the top cornerbacks have to be considered, too, with Lewan and Matthews off the board. New GM Tom Telesco should consider trading down, too.

The order for the top 28 selections is set. Picks 29-32 will depend on the results of next week’s conference championship games.

The 2013 draft class has a lot of talent, but is lacking “elite” prospects at the skill positions.

In the grander scheme of things, with Andy Reid replacing Romeo Crennel and John Dorsey taking over GM duties, I’m rethinking Kansas City’s choice at No. 1. There isn’t a quarterback worth the top pick.

The selection order below is official (outside of the bottom four picks), and is based on won/loss records along with various tiebreakers in the NFL. It will be adjusted weekly and updated online. For rounds two and three, go to
www.utsandiego.com/news/sports.

Happy mocking.

1Kansas City (2-14) Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Sr.

K.C. could fix the quarterback situation by making a run at Joe Flacco in free agency or trading for Alex Smith or waiting on the Seahawks to release Matt Flynn. Michael Vick is even a possibility. There’s also trading down to stockpile picks, but if they stay, the choice is between Lotulelei and Luke Joeckel. Lotulelei reminds me of Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata. The Chiefs can draft a QB in the second round and groom him behind one of the players I mentioned above. Top needs: QB, DL, OL, WR.

2Jacksonville (2-14) Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia, Jr.

Health has been an issue for Jones, but when he’s on the field, he showcases the same attributes that make Von Miller nearly unstoppable. Top needs: LB, QB.

3Oakland (4-12) Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida St., Jr.

Matt Shaughnessy led the team in sacks with 3.5, which speaks volumes to their pass rush. Werner had 3.5 sacks against Florida alone. Top needs: QB, LB, CB, DL.

4Philadelphia (4-12) Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Jr.

The Eagles currently possess the one offensive line I consider worse than the Chargers. Joeckel is the best player at a position of need. Top needs: OL, DL.

5Detroit (4-12) Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Jr.

Milliner is physical and excels in bump-and-run, but also possesses elite athleticism. Top needs: CB, OL.

6Cleveland (5-11) Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M, Jr.

Moore, who has starred as a pass-rushing linebacker and traditional defensive end for the Aggies, led the SEC with 12.5 sacks and the country with 20 tackles for loss. Top needs: OL, LB.

7Arizona (5-11) Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas, Sr.

Can the Cardinals afford not to take a quarterback here? Wilson offers more upside than USC’s Matt Barkley, possessing not only the elite physical tools, but the mental makeup and toughness to be a big time player at the next level. Top needs: QB, OL.

8Buffalo (6-10) Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, Sr.

GM Buddy Nix has made it clear he considers quarterback a top priority. Smith has never been prone to interceptions. He’s smart, accurate and patient. His performance in the Pinstripe Bowl against Syracuse was less than inspiring, but there’s a chance he’ll play in the Senior Bowl to make up for it. Top needs: WR, QB, LB, CB, S.

If the Titans ever hope to slow down Arian Foster and compete in the AFC South, they need a man to plug up the middle. Hankins is really hard to move, has great lateral movement and eats up blocks. Top needs: DT, CB, OL.

11San Diego (7-9) Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama, Sr.

If the Chargers can’t land a tackle, Warmack is the next best thing. The Crimson Tide guard is a future perennial Pro Bowler and Top 10 talent who will only fall because he’s an interior lineman. Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks is a solid alternative. Top needs: OL, CB, RB.

12Miami (7-9) Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Jr.

Patterson, a JUCO transfer with just half a season of FBS experience, has flashed breathtaking athleticism as a receiver, runner and returner for the Vols. Top needs: WR, OL.

Richardson is not only active against the run, but has the ability to disrupt the pocket in passing situations, too. Top needs: DT, WR, CB.

15New Orleans (7-9) Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame, Sr.

The Saints need help all over their defensive depth chart. Te’o was second in the nation with seven interceptions this season. His instincts, passion and leadership are unmatched in this draft. Top needs: DL, LB, CB.

16St. Louis (7-8-1) Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Sr.

Fisher’s the biggest sleeper in this mock. It can take a while to get around him at 6-8, because he uses his arms so effectively. Top needs: OL, WR.

17Pittsburgh (8-8) Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas, Sr.

Okafor was perhaps the single biggest matchup problem in the Big 12 this season. Top needs: DL, S, LB.

18Dallas (8-8) Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina, Sr.

Cooper is powerful and quick for his size (6-3, 302). He moves extremely well, which allows him to beat defenders to spots, make his block and get downfield. Top needs: OL, LB, QB.

19N.Y. Giants (9-7) Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Sr.

Ansah, a native of Ghana who has only been playing football for three years, boasts a combination of size, athleticism and upside that some have compared to that of Jason Pierre-Paul. Top needs: DL, DB, LB.

20Chicago (10-6) Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia, Jr.

The Bears have to prepare for life after Brian Urlacher. Top needs: OL, LB, TE.

21Cincinnati (10-6) Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU, Jr.

Montgomery has been regarded as one of the most dominant ends in the SEC for the past two seasons. Top needs: S, DL, LB, RB.